Burial Rites By Hannah Kent Book Review

A brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.

Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.

Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tóti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.

Riveting and rich with lyricism, BURIAL RITES evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?

Hannah Kent won the 2011 Writing Australia Unpublished Manuscript Award for her manuscript, Burial Rites, and is currently mentored by Geraldine Brooks. She is the co-founder and deputy editor of Australian literary journal Kill Your Darlings, and teaches Creative Writing and English at Flinders University, where she is also completing her PhD.

In 2011 she was a judge of Melbourne University/The Australian Centre’s Peter Blazey Fellowship for Life Writing. Her creative and critical writing has appeared in The Big Issue, Australian Book Review, The Wheeler Centre, Kill Your Darlings and Voiceworks, amongst others.

https://hannahkentauthor.com

AMAZING.....is the only word I can come up with to describe mrs. Kent's debut novel. Oh ya and maybe WOW! I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I love the fact she created a story that flowed so well based on a true incident that occurred in history! Yes fist pumps and one time for all my history buffs/sightseeing lovers. 

This is the story of anges a woman who was accused as a conspirator in the murder of her employer and lover. This is a story of heart. Every adjective you've every used or heard that goes before this one word can be applied to this book.... Broken , mending, kind, caring, forgiving,etc.  This was one woman's story and how her life leading up till the last moments of her life affected the lives/hearts of a community/valley. 

This book was a reminder of something I've been told throughout my life. Everyone has a story! Many are quick to judge the outer layer and never break through to the true core of who a person really is. Agnes was a woman who had worked her whole life for a chance at a better life. To many she may be considered your modern day jezebel. Regardless she was a survivor but her ambitions got her in the arms/employment of the sweet talking/handsome, Natan. In my opinion this man was bipolar, Mood swings like he had PMS. Her once promised position to run a household is denied and now Natan covets sigga, the young and naive servant. Sigga was in love with Fredrick, a strange young man with an evil streak, like killing/kicking sheep. Any way moving right along, remember these three names because as their lives unravel,they find themselves In the midst of being executed  for murder.  

Being  held separately throughout the trial, Agnes is taken back to where it all began the valley. She is taken in by a district official and his family. It's amazing how once you get to know someone no matter the crime your outlook and perspective changes. Agnes told her story of the why and how. She told her story of the choices she made and the reason she was suffering the consequences now. She touched and effected the lives of a whole valley in a sense. This goes to show never judge a book by its cover. This book was amazing. Great job mrs. Kent I really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to read more from  you. 

Cheers, 
Dr. Books

Book rating: 5 stars

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316243914